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Success Secrets From October's Biggest Movies

October means only one thing in the world of film: Out with the summer blockbusters and in with the Oscar hopefuls. We've rounded up this month's most inspirational films and outlined what you might actually learn from them.

October means only one thing in the world of film: Out with the summer blockbusters and in with the Oscar hopefuls. We've rounded up this month's most inspirational films and outlined what you might actually learn from them.

The Social Network (10/1)Seven years ago, Mark Zuckerberg was just another Harvard undergrad who cared about getting into the school's most exclusive social clubs. Today, he's the controversial founder of Facebook, the social networking site you've probably already logged onto today. The Aaron Sorkin directed film--starring the adorable Jesse Eisenberg--follows his journey from college student to youngest billionaire in history, including the personal and legal complications that ensued. Bonus: Justin Timberlake also stars in the film!

Lesson: As the movie highlights, Zuckerberg may have done some shady things to get where he is today. But when it comes down to it, he had an idea and he took a chance by following his dream--even if that meant dropping out of Harvard. Who knows, maybe he's onto something. Some of the most successful companies got started because one person pursued his or her passion (Post-its, the Internet, space travel!). Do you have an idea you think is pretty awesome? Then go for it! You have nothing to lose and hey, you might just end up the next billionaire gracing the cover of Forbes magazine.

Secretariat (10/8)It sounds like the plot of a Lifetime movie, but this inspirational story of housewife-turned-horse owner Penny Chenery is 100% true. Chenery, a mother of four (played by Diane Lane), took over her ailing father's Virginia-based Meadow Stables, even though she had no experience in horse-racing. Despite being a women in a man's world and dealing with all of the odds that go along with that, she manages to produce the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years.

Lesson: Like Chenery, perhaps you were thrown into a new career or job that you knew nothing about. No need to panic. Determination and persistence will get you a long way. And if nothing else, it's a film that teaches us we should never feel controlled by our gender. Bottom line: it wasn't a man's world then, and it's not a man's world now.

Conviction (10/15)Conviction is based on the inspiring true story of Betty Anne Waters (Hilary Swank), a high school dropout and single mom whose brother (Sam Rockwell) was wrongfully convicted of murder. Waters spent twelve years putting herself through law school--and raising two sons while working part time as a waitress at the same time--just so that she could represent her brother in court and see him released from prison.

Lesson: You may not be forced to dramatically alter your life like Waters did, but would a change make you happy? Have you always wanted to be a chef, a filmmaker or even a lawyer? Don't be afraid to start thinking about a new career or even going back to school. What's that saying again? Oh right, there's no time like the present.